Merak Sakteng Trek
In northeastern Bhutan, there are two fascinating villages with a culture and traditions different in many ways from the rest of the Bhutanese people. They have a rich cultural heritage, relying on animals like yaks, sheep, cows, and horses. They move from place to place with the change of seasons and are known as "Brogpas," which means "herdsmen" or semi-nomadic tribesmen. These villages are called "Merak & Sakteng."
The trek passes through the twin villages of Merak and Sakteng, which lie above 3000m from sea level. The trek goes through Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, which is also home to endangered species such as the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan bear, and Himalayan red fox, as well as the legendary yeti. The people living in the Merak and Sakteng area are semi-nomadic yak herders with a unique and fascinating culture. They speak a different dialect, have their own deities, and wear a unique style of dress. They wear headgear made of yak hair with five tentacles designed to draw away the rain.